Treatment
Often antibiotics are prescribed alone as a treatment or along with the following treatments to stop the infection:-
Lancing
This is when a Doctor punctures the abscess with a small incision and allows the fluid to drain. This is not recommended as they often recur.Marsupialization
This is a minor surgical procedure in which the surgeon makes an incision in the lump and opens out the skin (turning the abscess/cyst inside out almost) and stitches this to the surrounding area. This allows the fluid to drain and with luck provides an outlet for future secretions so that other abscesses do not form. It can be done under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic.Word Catheter
Under local anaesthetic a Doctor makes an incision in the cyst and a catheter with a 'balloon' shaped end is put inside the cyst cavity after it has drained. This is then inflated with water or lubricating gel. The other end of the catheter is tucked up inside the vagina (how nice-not). It is left in place for up to four weeks. Again this hopefully leaves a hole for future fluid from the gland to pass.Gland Removal/Excision
Under general anaesthetic this is the cutting out of the affected Bartholin gland. This is generally done as a last resort.Please do not try to perform medical procedures at home! (as if). If you have any medical condition/symptoms always consult your Doctor right away.
**WARNING**
The following links contain detailed drawn pictures of the procedures and anatomy. If you are squeamish or don't want kids to see then give them a miss.Two pages which are a must visit for detailed treatment information are:-
Office Management of Bartholin Gland Cysts and Abscesses
Management of Bartholin's Duct Cyst and Gland Abscess
Natural Treatments
Salt baths with hot water and table salt are very good at preventing further infection and sometimes at causing an abscess to rupture naturally. They definitely help even alongside conventional treatment.
A heated pad or cloth used as a compress can help burst the abscess/cyst quicker and some ladies say it helps with pain relief.
A poultice to "draw" the infected pus out can be used . There is a description of how to make one in the links section in Wild Rose Cottage - Abscesses. Easiest of all though is the garlic applied direct to the area though it recommends first applying a coat of olive oil to prevent blistering. Since garlic has antibiotic properties this makes sense really.
A pad or cloth soaked in witchhazel applied to the area seems to help a lot of ladies. Only use witchhazel externally on the surface of the abscess, don't use it internally or in the vagina at all because it can contain tannins and alcohol which would not be benefcial and could be harmful.